The temperamental white moonlight is back, and the entire Marquis's family obediently calls him

As they approached Hesong Courtyard, Chu Yuan'er suddenly frowned, clutched her stomach, and slowly knelt down.

Zhou Shixu was startled: "Aunt Chu, what's wrong?"

Chu Yuan'er remained silent, her forehead covered in cold sweat.

The old woman and maidservants hurriedly took Chu Yuan'er to the nearest courtyard, and Zhou Shixu sent someone to fetch a doctor.

After a flurry of activity, the maid Lan'er suddenly opened her eyes wide: "Could it be... that the tea I drank in the old lady's courtyard this morning was the problem!"

"Lan'er...don't talk nonsense..."

Chu Yuan'er was in excruciating pain, but she still forced herself to scold Lan'er.

"Although the old lady dislikes me, how could she do such a vicious thing? You are not allowed to say such things again."

Zhou Shixu listened, completely stunned.

According to the master and servant, Aunt Chu's stomachache was caused by drinking poisoned tea when she went to her mother's place that morning.

...If it were her previous mother, Zhou Shixu would definitely believe it.

My mother has changed a lot now; she doesn't seem like the kind of person who would do something like this!

Before long, the doctor arrived, examined the symptoms, and nodded.

"It is indeed poisoning, but fortunately it is not a potent poison, just something that causes discomfort. Once the medicine is taken, there will be no further problems."

The doctor prescribed two doses, and Lan'er quickly found someone to prepare and fill the medicine.

Just moments ago, I still believed my mother's Zhou Shixu, but after hearing the doctor's words, I couldn't help but waver.

After all, Chu Yuan'er was kind to everyone, and almost everyone in the Marquis's mansion liked her.

Besides her mother, who else would poison Chu Yuan'er?

"Preface..."

Chu Yuan'er grabbed Zhou Shixu's sleeve, forcing a pale smile: "You must not tell the Marquis about this."

"This morning, my wife was already very unhappy because of me. If I were to cause a big fight between the Marquis and his wife because of me, I would be even more deserving of death."

Zhou Shixu: "So, are we not going to investigate Aunt Chu's poisoning?"

In this household, besides my mother and eldest brother, only my father has the authority to investigate further.

If we don't tell our father, how can we find out who poisoned us?

Chu Yuan'er sighed: "Since it's not a serious poison that can be easily cured, I don't want to make a fuss about it."

"I understand that my wife resents me; it's all my fault."

"So, Xu'er, I beg you to promise me that no matter what the Marquis asks you later, you must not mention the Madam again."

"The Marquis has not been feeling well these past two days and does not wish to hear news of the Madam. If you bring it up, it will inevitably cause a lot of trouble."

Zhou Shixu frowned and slowly lowered his head.

Despite Chu Yuan'er's repeated pleas, he reluctantly nodded.

After Chu Yuan'er took the medicine and felt a little better, the two of them went to Hesong Courtyard together.

When facing Zhou Ningchuan, Chu Yuan'er simply claimed that she had fainted by accident, which caused the delay.

"Have you consulted the imperial physician?" Zhou Ningchuan asked.

Chu Yuan'er said gently, "The doctor came to check on you, and you are fine."

Zhou Ningchuan nodded and didn't ask any more questions, only keeping his second son behind for questioning.

"I heard that An'an was in danger that day, and you single-handedly killed three bandits?"

Zhou Shixu hesitated before replying, "Yes..."

Zhou Ningchuan narrowed his eyes slightly, then chuckled softly, "I didn't even know you had such abilities."

Zhou Shixu dared not meet his father's scrutinizing gaze and quickly lowered his head.

Actually, it's...

The word "mother" rolled around in Zhou Shixu's throat several times before he finally swallowed it down.

"Actually, it was my older brother who taught me." Zhou Shixu didn't tell the truth after all.

Firstly, because of what Aunt Chu had just said, she was worried that her father would be furious if he found out.

Secondly, he suddenly felt uncertain—was his mother good or bad now?

Although Zhou Shixu is stubborn, he is still an immature child. Unlike Zhou Shili, who has supported a family since childhood and has various experiences, his thoughts are always changing.

He wavered when others spoke to him.

Thirdly, he subconsciously wanted to escape his father's scrutiny.

After all, he hadn't actually killed those three bandits, yet he had received a false reputation, which made him feel ashamed and guilty.

His father had spent half his life in the military, earning the title of "Loyal and Tranquil Marquis" through real battles. Yet his son was such a failure, unable to even pull off a simple trick. Zhou Shixu subconsciously didn't want to face this.

"Father...why don't you ask my eldest brother?"

Zhou Shixu kept his head tightly down.

He shifted the blame to his older brother, letting him explain to their father so he could openly and legitimately act like a coward.

"Preface".

Zhou Ningchuan wasn't buying it. He stood up, walked up to him, and stared intently at him: "Your older brother doesn't know martial arts."

"What's going on? You won't even tell your own father the truth?"

Zhou Shixu's back was sweating, his fists clenched, and he whispered, "Big Brother knows martial arts now too."

"Father, you've been gone for many years, and many things have changed..."

"I don't know how to say it, really, please ask your older brother..."

Zhou Ningchuan couldn't stand the subservient manner of his subordinates, let alone his own son.

He frowned, wanting to reprimand his son, but then he heard the sob in his son's voice and saw the beads of sweat on his son's forehead.

He couldn't help but pause.

...This is his youngest son.

Back in the village, whenever he scolded his son so harshly, Zhao Zhao would rush out immediately and give him a hard whack on the head.

Then she'd point her finger at him and yell, "This is my son, he came out of my belly! If you insult them, I'll insult you! If you hit them, I'll hit you!"

"I'll beat you until you start talking properly!"

Whenever Zhou Ningchuan saw his wife get angry, he would panic and repeatedly beg for forgiveness.

But his stubbornness made him feel that he was right to do so, so he couldn't help but educate his child in his own way next time.

Later, his wife disappeared, and her body was taken over by another strange woman.

When he scolds his children, no one will try to persuade him anymore.

Gradually, he became the one who comforted and soothed the child.

Later, he went to the Northwest, and he would always think of the past.

Zhao Zhao is right; he shouldn't be so strict with his child. What can't a family discuss behind closed doors?

But by then, the most important person in his family was gone, and he could no longer have the home he once had.

"..."

Zhou Ningchuan closed his eyes, then suddenly turned around, suppressing his voice so it didn't tremble as much.

"Alright, Xu'er, you should go back now."

Zhou Shixu looked up in surprise. His father had his back to him, seemingly trying to hide something.

He opened his mouth, but didn't dare to ask, and silently withdrew.

Standing under the eaves, Chu Yuan'er saw Zhou Shixu leave, smiled slightly, and gracefully entered the study with tea and snacks in hand.

Her voice was tinged with worry as she spoke: "Xu'er doesn't seem very happy. Did the Marquis scold him again?"

"If I may be so bold as to say something inappropriate, Shixu is a big boy now, with his own ideas. Your Highness should let go of him a bit."

Zhou Ningchuan took a deep breath, but asked, "You went to see her this morning, she...?"

"How is it?"